BUICK REGAL GS

This sport red paint scheme is standard with the 2018 Regal GS.Other colors are available for an extra cost.

We have a new Buick Regal to consider, but it probably isn’t the model you think it is. Indeed, for 2018 the Regal offers two body styles — a wagon and a hatchback — replacing the previous sedan. As before, the Regal is a midsize model with some upscale features.

Before we examine the model at hand, let’s take a look at the Regal name, which has been used by Buick since 1973, although it had disappeared for a while earlier this millennium. During the years it was absent in North America, the Regal continued in China.

Beginning in 2010, the Buick Regal made its North American return, thanks to Opel and the Insignia sedan on which it was based. That model was built in Germany for its first year, then in Canada until the fifth-generation Regal came to an end in 2017.

Starting in 2018, an all-new Regal rolled out. The sedan is gone as well as the Canadian production that previously supported it. For the latest model, Buick turned to Opel and its factory in Germany to supply two new body styles: a wagon (which we covered here) and a four-door hatchback or Sportback model. That latter model is offered as the Regal Sportback or Regal GS. I had the GS, which is a name that represents the performance model in the Regal line.

Happily, the 2018 Regal GS lives up to the previous model, while striking out in a new design direction. We’ll drill down on the new vehicle’s particulars, including the changes for this new sixth-generation model.

The GS’ profile gives only the slightest hint that this sedan is actually a hatchback.

2018 Buick Regal GS Overview

Buick markets the GS separately from the Sportback, although it essentially serves as the top-tier trim for that body style.

What is especially noteworthy about the GS is that instead of offering the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the Sportback and TourX wagon, the Regal GS gets GM’s 3.6-liter V6 engine. That engine powers the full-size LaCrosse sedan and the Enclave crossover. GM pairs this engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The GS is all-wheel drive.

Sporty Silhouette

The 2018 Buick Regal GS starts at $39,990, inclusive of the delivery charge. Buick calls this model a “sport sedan” and at first glance it does have sedan-like proportions. That is, until you stand behind it and take note of the large glass window that slopes down to the notch-like rear. Kudos to the designers as this model looks nothing like the hatchbacks of yore.

It also doesn’t look like any Buick we’ve seen before. And that is a good thing. Evidently, Buick wants the new Regal to do for the model line in the new millennium, what it did in the 1980s — supply a handsome look with performance attributes.

The first indication the GS is a hatchback is with its large rear glass window.

The front fascia commands attention with its sleek headlamps and bold overall presence. Its intake is narrow and long, placing an aggressive stamp on its face. The GS’ profile is handsome too — you won’t find ornamental vent ports, but you will see functioning side marker lights. The appropriately placed character lines and body sculpting add flair.

The rear deck opens by pressing the Buick insignia. The liftgate lifts high, revealing a gaping storage compartment. If you never thought you’d consider a hatchback, the GS’ design invites you to take a closer look. If there is a change I would like to see is for the key fob to include an unlocking mechanism. There isn’t one and I couldn’t find a button inside for that either.

Cabin Contrasts

The GS’ cabin is roomy, comfortable, but it is also a contradiction of sorts. Its strongest attributes are its sporty front seats, which have heating, cooling and massaging features. They’re not Recaro seats, but they do supply superior neck, back, hip and thigh support over standard bucket seats.

The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat folds completely flat. When the full seat is down, the already generous storage capacity expands from 31.5 cubic feet to 60.7 cubic feet. It is this storage attribute that made hatchbacks appealing in the first place. In the Regal GS, the space seems incredibly large — you’ll have no trouble fitting a bicycle or other sporting gear inside. The rear seat headroom is sufficient, at least I found it was that way with my six-foot frame.

As for the interior layout, it features many more hard plastics and big buttons than we like. Where the exterior hits all the styling highlights, the cabin falls short — it could be so much better than it is. I recently drove the Kia Cadenza GT and was impressed by its upscale feel, something that’s missing in the Buick. The Kia costs less money too.

The standards feature list includes full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, leather seats and dual-zone climate control. The pedals are bright, but they’re not fully metallic.

The GS’ front sport seats enhance align with this model’s mission.

Tech and Safety

I’ve given Buick ample plaudits in the past for its in-cabin technologies and that praise continues with the new model. It begins with an OnStar plan featuring a three-month trial subscription. It continues with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, a feature that has bailed me out more than once when I was in a remote location and needed Internet access.

Other features include an audio system with an 8-inch color touch-screen display, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, USB ports and satellite radio. Optional features include an 8-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio and navigation.

Beyond OnStar, stability and traction control, and a rearview camera, the GS offers several driver-assist technologies. The standard package includes lane change alert with side blind zone alert and rear cross-traffic alert. You can also upgrade by choosing a Driver Confidence Package ($1,690). This package brings in such features as adaptive cruise control, following distance indicator, forward collision alert and forward automatic braking. It also has lane keep assist with lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking and a head-up display.

On the Road With the Buick Regal GS

The previous Regal GS utilized a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. However, this time it has a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 engine, which makes 310 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. Buick pairs this engine with a nine-speed automatic transmission and includes standard all-wheel drive with active dual clutch.

This is the first time in more than a decade that a midsize Buick model has a V6 engine. It is a very good match for the GS, as it delivers ample step-off acceleration and robust mid-range power when you need it. The only disappointment is the lack of paddle shifters, but at least the transmission moves quickly between gears. And if you must, you can move the shift lever to manual mode and control gear shifts that way.

Metal pedals and a thickly padded steering wheel are a GS feature.

What helps this model shine is its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. The system shifts power to the rear wheels when needed, then to the individual wheels on demand. This arrangement enables the Regal GS to hang twisty roads and pull out of corners with ease. Combine all this with weighted steering and a constantly adjusting suspension system and the GS has our attention.

One of the more curious arrangements is this Buick’s drive mode system. Instead of utilizing a dial to switch between normal, sport and GS modes, you’ll find switches at the base of the center console just ahead of the transmission stick.

Normal is the default mode, so you don’t do need to do anything there. When I pressed either of the switches, I expected noticeable changes in engine mapping, steering weight and exhaust sound, but it was hard to detect the changes.

So, although I liked the powertrain arrangement, the lack of paddle shifters and the hard-to-perceive drive mode changes are disappointments.

The GS is the lone Regal model powered by a V6 engine.

2018 Buick Regal GS Parting Thoughts

Buick prices the Regal Sportback from $25,915, offering four trims below the GS. In fact, the well-equipped Essence trim matches most of the GS’ attributes and costs $5,200 less. This means you get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 250 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission. You also get all-wheel drive.

All things considered, the 2018 Buick Regal GS delivers an outstanding exterior design, leading-edge technologies and decent performance. However, its interior trails the competition, including the Kia Stinger and the Audi A5 Sportback.

The Buick Regal has taken on many forms across its long history, including a coupe, sedan and briefly as a wagon. Its previous iteration was as a four-door sedan, a model developed in Germany, then built in Canada for the North American market.

Well, sedan sales have been deteriorating for years and after a seven-year run, Buick cancelled most of the sedan line, although the performance GS remains. Beginning in 2018, an updated Regal portfolio is in place, but this time it also includes a hatchback (Regal Sportback) and a wagon (Regal TourX). As of publication, Buick offers the Sportback in the US and Canada, while the GS sedan and wagon are exclusive to the United States.

The two newest Regals are once again built only in Germany and by Opel. Up until last year, Opel was a GM division, but now owned by Groupe PSA, mainly comprising Peugeot and Citroen, the French automaker.

We cannot explain for certain how or why this arrangement continues, other than to say that when the Opel-to-PSA deal became final, certain models were sharing a common platform and will likely do so for years ahead. No matter, the Regal TourX is an Opel (or a Vauxhall) Insignia in some markets, but it is also a Holden Commodore in Australia. Got it?

2018 Buick Regal TourX

For this review, we shall look primarily at the test model at hand — the 2018 Regal TourX. Where necessary, we will mention a few things about the Sportback, but not much else. There are some differences between the two, therefore we will not take a deep dive into what we have not driven. Just so you know, Buick markets the Sportback as a “Car,” but it lists the TourX under its “SUV & Crossovers” category.

The 2018 Regal TourX comes in three trim levels: TourX ($29,070), Preferred ($32,670) and Essence ($35,070). These prices do not include the $925 destination and handling charge, nor are taxes, fees, tags or discounts factored in. All models have a turbocharged engine, an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Exterior Highlights

The Regal TourX does not attempt to hide its wagon design and that is a good thing. Up front, it shares a fascia common to the brand with the Buick tri-shield insignia and wing-like chrome bands flowing out from the center. Sleek headlamps and pronounced cutouts for the fog lamps add sporty touches.

The wheel wells come wrapped in contrasting trim, while deep sculpting marks the profile. A rising beltline and falling roofline meet to form the liftgate. The rear fascia has sleek wraparound tail lamps and dual exhaust ports.

Although obviously a wagon, this model adds special styling points, including an upswept rear roof pillar. You will also find chrome door trim that runs from the front to the rear pillars, then intersects with the tail lamps. Whoever said a wagon cannot deliver flair? It is a look I found appealing.

Standard equipment includes halogen headlamps, fog lamps and 18-inch aluminum wheels. Available features include LED headlamps with automatic leveling, a panoramic moonroof, power-heated side mirrors, roof rack rails and a power liftgate.

Interior Highlights

When it comes to passenger space, the TourX compares with any midsize, two-row SUV. Specifically, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Edge and the Nissan Murano are three that come to mind. The main difference, of course, between the Buick and this trio is the high profile of the competitors. Other than that, the Buick compares well here.

The TourX interior reminded me of the Buick Enclave, a three-row SUV with nine more inches between the wheels. Plenty of soft-touch materials, chrome and with the Essence model, leather. It is a look that is at once soothing as it is elegant, one that supplies a fitting parallel to the LaCrosse sedan.

The driver-centric instrument panel is big and clear, the center console smartly ordered and uncluttered. The front seats are plush, yet firm. The rear seat holds two adults with ease and three when needed. My test model had leather seats, although cloth seats are standard. The cabin is very quiet and is up there with Buick’s exacting standards.

Standard equipment includes full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column and air conditioning. Among the upgrades you will find are a heated steering wheel, power front seats with lumbar support, heated front seats, ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control.

Not to leave out of the discussion is the storage space behind the second-row seat. Buick supplies 32.7 cubic feet, which is more than the 23.6 cubic feet in the Enclave. But if you fold the third-row seat in the Enclave you have a generous 58 cubic feet. Back to the TourX and you have 73.3 cubic feet behind the first row — that’s ample room to carry your gear — a bicycle, tent, skis, what have you. And that is why Buick offers a standard 60/40 or an available 40/20/40 second-row bench seat.

Technology & Safety Features

I have long praised Buick for its tech features and the TourX does not disappoint. The audio package includes a 7-inch color touch screen display, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility.

You will also find a USB port inside the center console and a WiFi system for connecting up to seven devices. Other features include keyless entry and push-button start, remote panic alarm and OnStar connected vehicle services.

Upgrades include HD and satellite radio, navigation, an 8-speaker Bose audio system and remote start. Wireless charging is an option.

Among safety items you will find a rear vision camera. Move up through the trim levels and multiple driver-assist features roll out, including lane change alert with side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert and rear park assist. Other features include lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and adaptive cruise control with forward automatic braking. My top-of-the-line Essence trim had all such features present.

On the Road: 2018 Buick Regal TourX

A station wagon has a V8 engine, right? Or at least a powerful V6. Well, in this case it has neither.

How about a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine? That is exactly what motivates the Regal TourX, delivering 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Buick pairs this engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Do these numbers seem underpowered? Well, consider how they stack up with the Buick Lucerne, a full-size model last offered in 2011: that sedan’s 3.9-liter V6 earned 227 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. Further, there was a V8 available as well, delivering 292 horsepower and 288 pound-feet of torque. Thus, the torque number on the TourX beat the old V8 and that is something to keep in mind when considering this model.

Off-the-mark acceleration with the TourX is quite good. When you need extra power, the turbo kicks in with only minimal lag detected. A willing transmission works unnoticed in the background and that is what we like. Direct and weighted steering imbue driver confidence, while the smooth ride should please everyone.

Although not a curve carver, the TourX stays planted. The all-wheel drive system is a big help on wet roads as well as when you pull out of a corner. That’s the main difference between the Sportback and the TourX — the hatchback offers standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. I think Buick made the right decision by making the TourX all-wheel drive only.

As for off-roading, this wagon is strictly designed for light-duty work — traveling on gravelly roads or dusty paths. Its 6-inch ground clearance means you won’t be following the Outback across a shallow creek or to a sandy beach.

Parting Thoughts

There is a revival taking place in the wagon market. Besides the TourX, you will find the Subaru Outback, Audi A4 AllRoad, Volkswagen Golf Alltrack and the Volvo V60 and V90 Cross Country models. We must not leave out the Jaguar XF Sportbrake and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon, although both aim squarely at the luxury market.

I found myself almost giddy with the TourX, especially when I showed the vehicle to crossover and minivan owners. For the most part, there was a distinct love it/hate it reaction by some, but then I could see others carefully taking it in. That alone is a good thing as wagons fell out of grace long ago, especially by those who left one for a minivan.

But the market is cyclical and what was once out of favor could very well catch on again. With Buick, there is no need to wait as the 2018 Regal TourX delivers. Choose the well-equipped Essence and you will come away with a loaded model for under $40,000. This represents an important price point for similar crossover SUVs.